NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL NEWS

The 117th edition of historical IFA Shield football tournament organised by the Indian football Association will start from 4th March 2013. The dates of the IFA Shield semi-finals and final are yet to be finalized. If East Bengal qualifies to play in the semis then the date will be finalized after verifying the dates of the AFC Cup. The probable date of the Grand Finale is 19th March.

The price of the tickets for the group league matches will be Rs 50 and Rs 70 , but the price of the tickets for the knockout stages may be increased. The venues for semifinals will be Kolkata and Siliguri.

If the two giants of Kolkata East Bengal and Mohun Bagan meet against each other in the Semis then venue will be at Vivekananda Yubabharati Kriangan. The final is set to be kicked off at the Kolkata.

IFA has made News Time as their Media Partner and they will be going to telecast the important group league matches along with the semifinals and final. :- THe Fixtures is below:

..Pune FC boosted their strike-force by adding Boima Jerry Karpeh for their final assault of the I-League 2012-13.The 28-year-old Jerry replaces Japanese Daisuke Nishiguchi, who was released in the first week of February. Jerry, a naturalised Australian, born in Liberia, Africa, thus fulfils the Asian quota as per I-League regulations.

The Perth-based 6'2" striker carries forward the experience of playing for several clubs in Western Australia (Football West Premier League), which include top honours with Perth SC and Floreat Athena. During the period Jerry also emerged top scorer in the West Australian league.

Subsequently, Jerry featured for A-League side Perth Glory (2007-2008) and figured in 7 games. After a couple of more seasons below the A-League, Karpeh decided to move out of Australia and trade his skills. Jerry's first stop was Churchill Brothers (2010-11) on the Indian sub-continent. He made 14 I-League appearances that season, netted 4 goals and helped the Goan side to fourth place in the I-League. Likewise, he played a key role in Churchill Brothers IFA Shield title win in March 2011.

The next stop-over for Jerry was south-east Asia at Persisam Putra, an Indonesian Super League side. Pune FC General Manager Dr Ashok Kumar said, "Pune FC and Jerry have completed an employment contract. All formalities have been fulfilled so that Jerry (Boima Karpeh) can play." Jerry completed a medical test and on Friday had a light workout at the Pune FC training pitch at Mamurdi.

Having travelled from Australia via Singapore to Mumbai and then Pune, Jerry added, "I am happy to be part of a team that I believe is professional in all that they do. I am eager and waiting for the main squad to regroup and be part of Pune FC."

The Pune FC seniors are currently on a one-week break and will be back in training from Monday, 18th February, 2012. Jerry' inclusion adds variety to 'Pune FC attack with South Sudan's James Moga, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Subash Singh already on the club roster.

Pune FC Head Operations, Chirag Tanna added, "We (Pune FC) felt the need to get in striker for this last part of their 2012-13 campaign and hence signed on Jerry. I am extremely happy for Jerry and wish him all the luck."

On the release of Daisuke, Tanna added, "Pune FC wishes to thank Daisuke for all his efforts and wish him all the best in his future." During his stint, Daisuke figured in 18-matches (11 as a substitute). The Japanese scored 2 goals (v/s Mumbai FC; Leg-1) in his period and featured in 15 I-League games.

The 117th edition of historical IFA Shield football tournament organised by the Indian football Association, West Bengal will showcase the two Purple Brigade in the green turf of Bengal. The Indian Purple Brigade is the team from the host nation United Sports Club - I-League playing team as well as last year's Runners-up while the team which will came for the first time in India as guest of IFA Shield is Deportivo Saprissa, one of the oldest football clubs of Coasta.

Incidentally an Coastarican world cupper, midfeilder Carlos Hernandez is playing in the squad of the Indian Purple Brigade United SC from Kolkata from this season. Deportivo Saprissa is being nicked named as the "PURPLE DRAGON"( El Monstruo Morado ) is one of the oldest football club which was founded way back in the year 1935 at Sane Jose. Once Deportivo Saprissa S.A.D. known as C.D. Saprissa.

This Coastarican Club has a good success record in the Concacaf Champions Cup, which they have won for the 3rd occasions. They were the champions in the year 1993, 1995 and 2003. For the period 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008 the club was listed as being the 106th best team in the world by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, an organization recognized by FIFA.

Deportivo Saprissa had the honor of winning the Central American Crowns in the years 1972, 1973, 1978, 1998, and 2003. At present Saprissa is a premier Division club of Costarica which they have won the League for 29 times. The fans of the club called La Ultra Morada (The Purple Ultra) and their official mascot of the team is a cartoonish purple dragon

In fact they are the only club in Costa Rica to won the premier division tittle for the maximum number of times. They won Costarican Premier league contenious five years 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78, and three times from 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70 and 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08.

The memorable moment came in the Deportivo Saprissa way when they stood 3rd in the FIFA Club World Cup 2005 payed at Japan. In third place match they beat Al Ittihad 3-2. Th team beat Sydney FC 1-0 but lost to Liverpool 0-3 in the Semi Final. Saopaolo FC won that year.

The Club has it's own multipurpose stadium at Sane Jose with a capacity of 23 thousand spectators. The Ricardo Saprissa stadium which is the home ground of Deportivo Saprissa has have a artificial turf which looks as a natural grass.

The Team Dopeortivo Saprissa currently lying in the 2nd spot in Costarica Premier League 2012-13 with 8 points after 6 matches where thw won 2 drew 2 and lost 2 matches. The teams next matches in Premier League is:

But Deportivo Suprissa have their 2nd team name Deportivo Saprissa II which is playing in Costa Rica - Liga de Ascenso Clausura grp. B. The team is playng in Group 'B' and currently staying in 2nd positon after 6 matches. The team will play their next matches :-

The team will be playing in Group " B" at Kalyani Stadium with Mohun Bagan, Pune FC and Pailan Arrows. The Other Group "A" will play in siliguri where defending Champins East Bengal will face defending Runners up United SC and Shillong Lajong FC.

Mohun Bagan will play first on 6th against Pune FC, on 8th against Deportivo Saprissa and 10th March against Pailan Arrows. The Tournament will start from 4th March. Semi Final and Final may played in Kolkata where the winners Prize Money will INR 25 Lakhs.